I am not a technology person. In fact, I am the type of girl who can barely figure out google. When this class began, my spectrum for technology was anything but broad. I had been hearing about this thing that teacher at URI use called “Sakai”, but hadn’t yet learned what it was. When I got to this class (EDC 102), I learned about a new website, Wikispaces. Needless to say, I was lost. As my peers seemed to easily pick up what was going on and contribute, I could barely make my account. But, as the days went on, I slowly started to get the niche. Right as I caught up to the rest of the class, a new website was introduced to us; Evernote, and many more as the semester continued. These websites made Sakai and Wikispaces look like a piece of cake! I didn’t understand the use of Evernote. I could take notes on my computer if I had to, I didn’t need a whole website! Then, after I started using it and got the hang of it, I realized just how beneficial it can be.
My courses this semester were not extremely challenging to me, since many were general education courses. Classes like communication, theatre and general psychology were not difficult to me and I managed to do extremely well in them. Seeing as I am an education major, EDC 102 is a class that I am required to take. Being also an English major, meant that I had to take a short story English class as well. I found that these two courses were my most challenging. English has always been a topic that I am fond of and generally do well in. However, this course was quite challenging because I constantly kept getting the same 88% on each essay I wrote, even when I worked hard to improve them and even asked my professor what I was doing wrong. It was a constant struggle to do better, but I suppose that is not a bad problem to have. The education class was extremely challenging to me because as I said before, I am terrible with technology and this was a class that was centered on many different Personal Knowledge Bases (PKB’s). I was constantly challenged with submitting information to Wikispaces, making a Mindmap, using Zotero and following it all with Evernote, even though I don’t really know how half of that even works! I am a girl who is used to a good ol’ pen and paper, so this really was the first time that I have dealt with any real type of PKB’s like this. Countless times I tried to work with all of the PKB’s in my education class but I felt hopeless. I became very disorganized and confused with my classes. I often sought help from my peers and teacher and finally began to understand these new resources.
I never thought that Evernote would help me, but halfway through the semester, I became really invested in it and started taking all of my class notes on Evernote. I have found that the more you contribute to it, the more beneficial it becomes. Although I haven’t added personal items to Evernote, I can see how it would be very useful. It is nice to have all of your ideas, webpage clippings, etc. all in the same place and easily accessible. Each note of mine is “tagged” and labeled, so I am never disorganized or can’t find my work. Each class has its own tab with a “notebook” that I can keep all of my notes in. Not to mention, typing is much more efficient than writing, and although I am not a whiz with computers, typing fast is one of my strong points. I am much more efficient with taking notes on computers and tend to get more of the information since I am not focusing on slowly taking down the notes by hand. Also, I can continue my notes exactly where I left them and not have to worry about not having enough notebook pages. When I was researching for projects in class, I used the Webclipper to capture the bits of information I needed as I went. This helped me to be really productive. I knew exactly where the information I needed was, as opposed to having to search through piles of papers or different word documents/ websites to find it. Although I still did suffer from technical difficulties and often didn’t understand big parts of Evernote, the parts I did understand really helped me succeed in class!
My favorite part about Evernote is the fact that it is going to be there forever. When I am a teacher years from now, I might want to look back on my notes when I come across a problem or want some statistics on schooling. I never know when or if I am going to need these notes again, but now I don’t have to worry because they’re on Evernote if I ever do! Typically I save a great deal of papers from the classes I take and keep them in binders so that I can go back to them if I ever need them. This method has worked for me thus far, but over the years it consumes a great deal of space. With Evernote, it is all on digital files, so it is all still there but it is transportable and takes up no physical space. With these notes as a lasting resource, future courses in education may be easier since I have all of my prior notes at the click of a button. This may put me at a higher advantage to many other students who don’t have their old notes and don’t remember what they learned in previous classes.
Although I am not a strong supporter of technology and definitely not one who understands it well, I will admit that I think PKB’s were very beneficial in my learning experiences at URI, especially in classes where I need to take a great deal of notes. Evernote is an efficient and productive way to keep on top of my work but also pay attention to class and be an attentive and creative learner. I cannot argue with the fact that technology is ever prevalent in our society and is growing larger and larger each and every day. Although I am not sure that I am ready to jump head-first onto the bandwagon, I am now more willing to test the waters and am glad I was introduced to these PKB’s.
My courses this semester were not extremely challenging to me, since many were general education courses. Classes like communication, theatre and general psychology were not difficult to me and I managed to do extremely well in them. Seeing as I am an education major, EDC 102 is a class that I am required to take. Being also an English major, meant that I had to take a short story English class as well. I found that these two courses were my most challenging. English has always been a topic that I am fond of and generally do well in. However, this course was quite challenging because I constantly kept getting the same 88% on each essay I wrote, even when I worked hard to improve them and even asked my professor what I was doing wrong. It was a constant struggle to do better, but I suppose that is not a bad problem to have. The education class was extremely challenging to me because as I said before, I am terrible with technology and this was a class that was centered on many different Personal Knowledge Bases (PKB’s). I was constantly challenged with submitting information to Wikispaces, making a Mindmap, using Zotero and following it all with Evernote, even though I don’t really know how half of that even works! I am a girl who is used to a good ol’ pen and paper, so this really was the first time that I have dealt with any real type of PKB’s like this. Countless times I tried to work with all of the PKB’s in my education class but I felt hopeless. I became very disorganized and confused with my classes. I often sought help from my peers and teacher and finally began to understand these new resources.
I never thought that Evernote would help me, but halfway through the semester, I became really invested in it and started taking all of my class notes on Evernote. I have found that the more you contribute to it, the more beneficial it becomes. Although I haven’t added personal items to Evernote, I can see how it would be very useful. It is nice to have all of your ideas, webpage clippings, etc. all in the same place and easily accessible. Each note of mine is “tagged” and labeled, so I am never disorganized or can’t find my work. Each class has its own tab with a “notebook” that I can keep all of my notes in. Not to mention, typing is much more efficient than writing, and although I am not a whiz with computers, typing fast is one of my strong points. I am much more efficient with taking notes on computers and tend to get more of the information since I am not focusing on slowly taking down the notes by hand. Also, I can continue my notes exactly where I left them and not have to worry about not having enough notebook pages. When I was researching for projects in class, I used the Webclipper to capture the bits of information I needed as I went. This helped me to be really productive. I knew exactly where the information I needed was, as opposed to having to search through piles of papers or different word documents/ websites to find it. Although I still did suffer from technical difficulties and often didn’t understand big parts of Evernote, the parts I did understand really helped me succeed in class!
My favorite part about Evernote is the fact that it is going to be there forever. When I am a teacher years from now, I might want to look back on my notes when I come across a problem or want some statistics on schooling. I never know when or if I am going to need these notes again, but now I don’t have to worry because they’re on Evernote if I ever do! Typically I save a great deal of papers from the classes I take and keep them in binders so that I can go back to them if I ever need them. This method has worked for me thus far, but over the years it consumes a great deal of space. With Evernote, it is all on digital files, so it is all still there but it is transportable and takes up no physical space. With these notes as a lasting resource, future courses in education may be easier since I have all of my prior notes at the click of a button. This may put me at a higher advantage to many other students who don’t have their old notes and don’t remember what they learned in previous classes.
Although I am not a strong supporter of technology and definitely not one who understands it well, I will admit that I think PKB’s were very beneficial in my learning experiences at URI, especially in classes where I need to take a great deal of notes. Evernote is an efficient and productive way to keep on top of my work but also pay attention to class and be an attentive and creative learner. I cannot argue with the fact that technology is ever prevalent in our society and is growing larger and larger each and every day. Although I am not sure that I am ready to jump head-first onto the bandwagon, I am now more willing to test the waters and am glad I was introduced to these PKB’s.